Composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of pluripotent stem cell comprising EGFR inhibitor

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell containing an EGFR inhibitor. The present invention also provides a kit for promoting cardiac differentiation containing an EGFR inhibitor and a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell containing an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. The present invention also relates to a kit for promoting cardiac differentiation containing an EGFR inhibitor and a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor.

BACKGROUND ART

A technology to induce differentiation of pluripotent stem cells holds the key for realization of regenerative medicine and establishment of in vitro evaluation of drug efficacy and safety. In particular, the regenerative medicine and drug evaluation for heart diseases, which are the second cause of death in Japan, are important. Additionally, stable provision of homogenous cardiomyocytes is needed for cardiotoxicity study of various drugs since many drugs induce severe cardiac side effects including cardiac arrest and arrhythmia.

It has been reported that cardiac muscle differentiation of human ES/iPS cells is induced by co-culturing human ES cells and mouse feeder cells, END2 cells (Non Patent Literature 1, the reference is incorporated herein by reference). Unfortunately, the differentiation efficiency is low and the resulting human cardiomyocytes are not pure because of contamination of the mouse END2 cells.

It is also reported that cardiac muscle differentiation of human ES/iPS cells is induced by preparing embryoid from ES cells and adding several cytokines (fibroblast growth factor (FGF), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), vascular endothelial cell growth factor, DKK1, Activin A) to the embryoid (Non Patent Literatures 2 and 3, the references are incorporated herein by references). It is also reported that cardiac muscle differentiation is induced with BMP4, FGF2, insulin and serum (Non Patent Literature 4, the reference is incorporated herein by reference). These methods, however, are not suitable for practical use due to need of huge amount of cytokines which increases cost. It is also reported that cardiac muscle differentiation of mouse ES cells is induced with XAV939, a tankyrase inhibitor (Non Patent Literature 5, the reference is incorporated herein by reference). Unfortunately, it is difficult to use the resulting cells for regenerative medicine since serum is used in the preparation of the cells and the differentiation efficiency is low as 10 to 60%.

The inventors of the present invention have reported low molecular weight compounds that promote cardiac differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (Patent Literatures 1 and 2, and Non Patent Literature 7, the references are incorporated herein by references).

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase, the ligand of which is EGF. EGFR is important for regulating proliferation, differentiation and maintenance of cells. EGF signaling has been reported to play an important role in development of heart (Non Patent Literature 6, the reference is incorporated herein by reference). EGFR is also involved in proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. EGFR inhibitors such as gefitinib are used as an anti-cancer agent. However, use of EGFR inhibitors such as gefitinib and AG1478 has not been reported for inducing cardiac differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: WO2011/071118 Patent Literature 2: WO2012/026491

Non-patent Literature

Non-Patent Literature 1: Mummery, C., et al., Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes: role of coculture with visceral endoderm-like cells. Circulation. 107(21), 2733-40 (2003). Non-Patent Literature 2: Yang, L., et al., Human cardiovascular progenitor cells develop from a KDR+ embryonic-stem-cell-derived population. Nature. 453(7194), 524-8 (2008). Non-Patent Literature 3: Leschik, J., et al., Cardiac commitment of primate embryonic stem cells. Nat Protoc. 3(9), 1381-7 (2008). Non-Patent Literature 4: Paul, W B., et al., A Universal System for Highly Efficient Cardiac Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells That Eliminates Interline Variability. PLoSone. 6(4), e18293 (2011). Non-Patent Literature 5: Wang, H., et al., Cardiac induction of embryonic stem cells by a small molecule inhibitor of Wnt/.beta.-catenin signaling. ACS Chem Biol. 6(2), 192-7 (2011). Non-Patent Literature 6: Iwamoto, R., et al., Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and ErbB signaling is essential for heart function. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 100(6), 3221-6 (2003). Non-Patent Literature 7: Minami, I., et al., A Small Molecule that Promotes Cardiac Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells under Defined, Cytokine- and Xeno-free Conditions. Cell Rep. 2012 Nov. 29; 2(5):1448-60. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.09.015. Epub 2012 Oct. 25.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition and a method which allow cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell efficiently and at a low cost.

The present invention provides a composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell containing an EGFR inhibitor.

The present invention also provides a kit for promoting cardiac differentiation containing an EGFR inhibitor.

The present invention also provides a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell comprising culturing the pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor.

The present invention enables induction of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell and preparation of a cardiomyocyte efficiently and at a low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the effects of various inhibitors to promote cardiac differentiation. KY: KYO2111, SB: SB203580, BIRB: BIRB796, U: U0126, JAKI: tyrphostin AG490, AG: AG1478.

FIG. 2 shows the effect of an EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) to promote cardiac differentiation.

FIG. 3 shows the effect of an EGFR inhibitor (gefitinib) to promote cardiac differentiation.

FIG. 4 shows the effects of EGFR inhibitors (AG1478 or gefitinib) to promote cardiac differentiation and synergistic effects of the EGFR inhibitors (AG1478 or gefitinib) and Wnt signaling inhibitors (KYO2111 and/or XAV939).

FIG. 5 shows the culture systems for inducing cardiac differentiation used in the examples.

FIG. 6 shows the effect of an EGFR inhibitor (gefitinib) to promote cardiac differentiation of human ES cells (KhES-3) in cytokine- and Xeno-free conditions.

FIG. 7 shows the effects of EGFR inhibitors (AG1478 or gefitinib) to promote cardiac differentiation of human ES cells (KhES-3) and iPS cells (IMR90-1) in cytokine- and Xeno-free conditions.

FIG. 8 shows the synergistic effects of EGFR inhibitors (AG1478 or gefitinib) and a Wnt signaling inhibitor (XAV939).

FIG. 9 shows direct cardiac differentiation of human iPS cells (253G1) from a sphere culture.

FIG. 10 shows a synergistic effect of an EGFR inhibitor (PP3) and a Wnt signaling inhibitor (KYO2111).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell of the present invention contains an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. "EGFR inhibitor" herein used refers to any substance that inhibits signaling from EGFR, including, but not limited to, low molecular weight compounds, nucleic acids, peptides, and antibodies. Examples of the EGFR inhibitor include AG1478, gefitinib, afatinib, ARRY334543, AST1306, AZD8931, BIBU1361, BIBX1382, BPDQ, BPIQ-I, BPIQ-II, canertinib, CL-387,785, CUDC101, dacomitinib, vandetanib, EGFR inhibitor III (N-(4-((3,4-dichloro-6-fluorophenyl)amino)-quinazoline-6-yl)-2-chloroacet- amide, CAS 733009-42-2), EGFR/ErbB-2 inhibitor (4-(4-benzyloxyanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, CAS 179248-61-4), erlotinib, GW583340, GW2974, HDS029, lapatinib, WHI-P154, OSI-420, PD153035, PD168393, PD174265, pelitinib, Compound 56, XL657, PP3, AG-490, AGS55, tyrphostin B42, tyrphostin B44, AG556, AG494, AG825, RG-13022, DAPH, EGFR Inhibitor (cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3-(6-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenylamino)-pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-phenyl)-amide, CAS 879127-07-8), erbstatin analog (methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, CAS 63177-57-1), JNJ28871063, tyrphostin 47, lavendustin A, lavendustin C, lavendustin C methylate, LFM-A12, TAK165, TAK285, tyrphostin 51, tyrphostin AG183, tyrphostin AG528, tyrphostin AG99, tyrphostin RG14620, WZ3146, WZ4002, WZ8040, butein, and tyrphostin AG112. In an embodiment, the EGFR inhibitor is an EGFR inhibitor having quinazoline structure, such as AG1478, gefitinib, afatinib, ARRY334543, AST1306, AZD8931, BIBU1361, BIBX1382, BPDQ, BPIQ-I, BPIQ-II, canertinib, CL-387,785, CUDC101, dacomitinib, vandetanib, EGFR inhibitor III (CAS 733009-42-2), EGFR/ErbB-2 inhibitor (CAS 179248-61-4), erlotinib, GW583340, GW2974, HDS029, lapatinib, WHI-P154, OSI-420, PD153035, PD168393, PD174265, pelitinib, Compound 56, or XL657, or PP3. EGFR inhibitors preferred for the present invention include AG1478, gefitinib, and PP3. EGFR inhibitors may be obtained, for example, from Santa Cruz Biotech.

The term "pluripotent stem cell" herein used refers to a cell having an ability to differentiate any type of cell constituting an adult body (pluripotency) and self-renewal capacity which is an ability to maintain the pluripotency during cell division. The "pluripotent stem cell" includes an embryonic stem cell (an ES cell), an embryonic germ cell (an EG cell), and an induced pluripotent stem cell (an iPS cells). The "pluripotent stem cell" may be a cell of any species with no limitation, and preferably a mammalian cell, and more preferably a rodent or primate cell. The present invention is particularly suitable for a monkey or human pluripotent stem cell.

An ES cell is a pluripotent stem cell derived from early embryo and may be established from inner cell mass of a blastocyst or post-implantation epiblast in early embryo. Examples of the ES cell include those described in the following references: human (Thomson J. A. et al., Science 282: 1145-1147 (1998), Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 345(3), 926-32 (2006); primates such as rhesus macaque and marmoset (Thomson J. A. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 7844-7848 (1995); Thomson J. A. et al., Biol. Reprod. 55: 254-259 (1996)); rabbit (National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2000-508919); hamster (Doetshman T. et al., Dev. Biol. 127: 224-227 (1988)), hog (Evans M. J. et al., Theriogenology 33: 125128 (1990); Piedrahita J. A. et al., Theriogenology 34: 879-891 (1990); Notarianni E. et al., J. Reprod. Fert. 40: 51-56 (1990); Talbot N. C. et al., Cell. Dev. Biol. 29A: 546-554 (1993)), sheep (Notarianni E. et al., J. Reprod. Fert. Suppl. 43: 255-260 (1991)), cow (Evans M. J. et al., Theriogenology 33: 125-128 (1990); Saito S. et al., Roux. Arch. Dev. Biol. 201: 134-141 (1992)), and mink (Sukoyan M. A. et al., Mol. Reorod. Dev. 33: 418-431 (1993)) (these references are herein incorporated by reference).

An EG cell is a pluripotent stem cell derived from a primordial germ cell, and examples include a human EG cell (Shamblott, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 95: 13726-13731 (1998)) (the reference is herein incorporated by reference).

The term "iPS cell" herein used refers to a pluripotent stem cell induced from a cell other than a pluripotent stem cell such as a somatic cell and a tissue stem cell. Methods for preparing the iPS cell are described in the following references, for example: WO2007/069666, WO2009/006930, WO2009/006997, WO2009/007852, WO2008/118820, Cell Stem Cell 3(5): 568-574 (2008), Cell Stem Cell 4(5): 381-384 (2009), Nature 454: 646-650 (2008), Cell 136(3):411-419 (2009), Nature Biotechnology 26: 1269-1275 (2008), Cell Stem Cell 3: 475-479 (2008), Nature Cell Biology 11: 197-203 (2009), Cell 133(2): 250-264 (2008), Cell 131(5): 861-72 (2007), Science 318 (5858): 1917-20 (2007) (these references are herein incorporated by reference). However, a cell prepared by any method is included in the "iPS cell" of the present invention as long as it is a pluripotent stem cell which has been induced artificially.

The composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of the present invention may be used in combination with another agent that promotes cardiac differentiation such as a Wnt signaling inhibitor, a Wnt signaling activator, nitrovin or cytokines (combination of bFGF, BMP4, VEGF, DKK1 and Activin A). The term "agent that promotes cardiac differentiation" herein used refers to any substance which has an effect to promote cardiac differentiation. In a preferred embodiment, the composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of the present invention is used in combination with a Wnt signaling inhibitor and/or a Wnt signaling activator.

The "WNT signaling activator" as used herein refers to a substance which activates the WNT signaling pathway. Examples of the WNT signaling activator include a GSK3.beta. inhibitor such as BIO or CHIR99021. In the present invention, two or more, for example 2, 3, or 4 WNT signaling activators may be used in combination.

The "WNT signaling inhibitor" as used herein refers to a substance which inhibits the WNT signaling pathway. Examples of the WNT signaling inhibitor include the compounds of formula (I) or salts thereof as described below, compounds such as IWP2, XAV939, and IWR1, and proteins such as IGFBP4 and Dkk1. Preferably, the WNT signaling inhibitor used in the invention is a compound, for example, a compound such as the compounds of formula (I) or salts thereof, IWP2, XAV939, and IWR1. In the present invention, two or more, for example 2, 3, or 4 WNT signaling inhibitors may be used in combination.

In an embodiment, the WNT signaling inhibitor is a compound represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein

R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the ring may contain 1 or 2 atoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12--R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

R.sub.10 to R.sub.11 are each independently a hydrogen atom; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

X is --CR.sub.14, wherein R.sub.14 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; a selenium atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and

n is an integer of 0 to 6,

or a salt thereof.

Examples of the linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group, an isopropoxy group, a butoxy group, an isobutoxy group, a sec-butoxy group, a tert-butoxy group and a pentyloxy group.

Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group and a pentyl group.

Examples of the linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms include a formyl group, an acetyl group, a propionyl group, a butyryl group, an isobutyryl group, a valeryl group and an isovaleryl group.

Examples of the halogen atom include Cl, Br, I or F.

In a preferred embodiment, R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--.

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are preferably a linear or a branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--. More preferably, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group. Further preferably, R.sub.2 is a methoxy group and R.sub.3 is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group.

R.sub.1, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are preferably a hydrogen atom.

In an embodiment, R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--.

R.sub.6 and R.sub.9 are preferably each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom, more preferably a hydrogen atom.

In a preferred embodiment, R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the ring may contain 1 or 2 atoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted of substituted with a halogen atom; R.sub.8 is a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--.

In an embodiment, R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom.

In an embodiment, R.sub.7 is a linear alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, and the group --C(O)A binds to the terminal carbon atom of the alkoxy group.

In a preferred embodiment, A contains at least one nitrogen atom, and examples of such A include a pyrrolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and pyridazinyl groups which are unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. In a more preferred embodiment, A is a piperidinyl group, a piperazinyl group or a morpholinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. In a further preferred embodiment, A is a piperidin-1-yl group, a piperazin-1-yl group or a morpholin-4-yl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 are preferably a hydrogen atom.

In a preferred embodiment, X is an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. X is preferably a sulfur atom.

In a preferred embodiment, n is an integer of 0 to 4. In a further preferred embodiment, n is an integer of 1 to 3, and more preferably n is 2 or 3.

Examples of the compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof include the following compounds and salts thereof:

(1) the compounds represented by Formula (I):

##STR00002## wherein

R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the ring may contain 1 or 2 atoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

R.sub.10 to R.sub.11 are each independently a hydrogen atom; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

X is --CR.sub.14, wherein R.sub.14 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; a selenium atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and

n is an integer of 0 to 6,

or salts thereof,

(2) the compounds according to (1) above,

wherein

R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

or salts thereof,

(3) the compounds according to (2) above,

wherein

R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--, and

X is an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

or salts thereof,

(4) the compounds according to (3) above,

wherein

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are a linear or a branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

R.sub.6 and R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom, and

R.sub.7 is a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom,

R.sub.8 is a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom, or

R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--,

or salts thereof,

(5) the compounds according to (4) above,

wherein

R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.9, R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 are a hydrogen atom,

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group,

X is a sulfur atom, and

n is an integer of 0 to 4,

or salts thereof,

(6) the compounds according to (5) above,

wherein

R.sub.7 is a halogen atom, and

R.sub.8 is a hydrogen atom,

or salts thereof,

(7) the compounds according to (5) or (6) above,

wherein

R.sub.7 is a methoxy group, and

R.sub.8 is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group,

or salts thereof,

(8) the compounds according to any one of (5) to (7) above,

wherein

n is an integer of 1 to 3,

or salts thereof,

(9) the compounds according to (1) above,

wherein

R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom;

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are a linear or a branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--;

R.sub.7 is a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the ring may contain 1 or 2 atoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; and

X is an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

or salts thereof,

(10) the compounds according to (11) above,

wherein

R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 are a hydrogen atom;

R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group;

R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 are an hydrogen atom;

X is a sulfur atom;

A is a piperidinyl group, a piperazinyl group or a morpholinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and

n is an integer of 0 to 4,

or salts thereof.

In an embodiment, the compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof is a compound selected from the following compounds or a salt thereof:

##STR00003##

wherein R; is a halogen atom.

In a preferred embodiment, the WNT signaling inhibitor is a compound selected from the following group:

##STR00004## ##STR00005## or a salt thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the WNT signaling inhibitor is a compound selected from the following group:

##STR00006## ##STR00007## or a salt thereof.

The compounds of Formula (I) can be synthesized by the known method (J. Med. Chem., 1965, 8 (5), pp 734-735) (incorporated herein by references) or in accordance with the methods described in WO2012/026491.

These compounds are described in, for example, J. Med. Chem., 1965, 8 (5), pp 734-735 (incorporated herein by references) (N11474, T61164). Also, they are available, for example, from UkrOrgSynthesis Ltd. (PB2852, PB2572, and PB2570) and ENAMINE (T61164).

The composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell provided by the present invention may be used in accordance with the method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell provided by the present invention described below.

The kit for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell provided by the present invention comprises an EGFR inhibitor. The kit may further comprise an agent that promotes cardiac differentiation such as a Wnt signaling inhibitor or a Wnt signaling activator.

The method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell provided by the present invention comprises culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor. The method is carried out in vitro. The medium used in the method of the present invention may be any conventional medium used for cardiac differentiation (i.e., "cardiac differentiation medium") of pluripotent stem cells and the medium is not limited to those having specific composition. Examples of the medium include IMDM-based cardiac differentiation medium (for example, the medium used in the examples), DMEM-based cardiac differentiation medium (for example, 200 ml of DMEM/F12 medium (Sigma), 50 ml of bovine fetal serum (GIBCO), 2.5 ml of MEM non-essential amino acid solution (Sigma), 2.5 ml of penicillin-streptomycin (GIBCO), 2.5 ml of 200 mM L-glutamine, and 2-mercaptoethanol), and StemPro-34SFM (GIBCO)+BMP4 (10 ng/ml).

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell wherein a medium which does not contain serum (i.e., a serum-free medium) is used. When a serum-free medium is used, the medium preferably contains albumin. Examples of albumin include bovine serum albumin and human serum albumin. The serum-free medium containing albumin allows induction of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell in the absence of proteins other than albumin, such as serum, cytokines, and feeder cells, and components derived from species of organism different from the pluripotent stem cell used in the method (i.e., xenogeneic components).

In the method of the invention, any conventional culture method suitable for cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell may be used. Examples of the culture method include adhesion culture, floating culture, and suspension culture. In an embodiment, the method of the invention does not use feeder cells such as END2 cells.

In the method of the invention, the period from the start of culture in a cardiac differentiation medium (i.e., culture for cardiac differentiation) to the start of culture in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor, and the period of the culture in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor may be appropriately determined. Preferably, when a monkey or human ES or iPS cell is used, the culture in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor may be conducted for two days or more in the period from Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to Day 14 of the culture for cardiac differentiation (specifically, for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 days), preferably for 3 to 10 days, more preferably for 4 to 10 days, even more preferably for 4 to 8 days. For example, the culture in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor is preferably conducted for 4 to 8 days in the period from Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to Day 10 of the culture for cardiac differentiation, for example Day 2 to Day 10 (for 8 days), Day 2 to Day 9 (for 7 days), Day 2 to Day 8 (for 6 days), Day 3 to Day 10 (for 7 days), Day 3 to Day 9 (for 6 days), Day 3 to Day 8 (for 5 days), Day 4 to Day 10 (for 6 days), Day 4 to Day 9 (for 5 days) or Day 4 to Day 8 (for 4 days) of the culture for cardiac differentiation.

The method of the invention may further comprise culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a Wnt signaling activator and/or culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor.

In an embodiment, the method of the invention comprises the step of culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor. The method may comprise the step of culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor or a Wnt signaling inhibitor in addition to the step of culturing the cell in the medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor. For example, after the cell is cultured in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor but not containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor, or in a medium containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor but not containing an EGFR inhibitor for one or two days, the medium may be replaced with a medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and an Wnt signaling inhibitor and the culture may be continued in the latter medium. Alternatively, throughout the whole period of the culture, the cell may be cultured in the medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor. Also, after the cell is cultured in the medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor, the cell may be cultured in the medium containing an EGFR inhibitor or a Wnt signaling inhibitor.

In an embodiment, the method of the invention comprises the steps of: (1) culturing a pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a Wnt signaling activator, and; (2) culturing the cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor after the step (1).

In the method, the period from the start of the culture for cardiac differentiation to the start of the step (1), the period from the end of the step (1) to the start of the step (2), and the periods of the steps (1) and (2) may be appropriately determined. The step (2) may start just after the end of the step (1), or after a certain period from the end of the step (1). The Wnt signaling activator may be added at the early phase of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell. The early phase of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell means a stage at which differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell into mesoderm is induced and the expression of a mesoderm marker gene is increased. The differentiation into mesoderm may be determined by examining the expression of a mesoderm marker. Examples of the mesoderm marker includes T, MIXL1, and NODAL.

For example, when a monkey or human ES or iPS cell is used, the step (1) may be conducted at Day 0 to Day 2 or Day 0 to Day 3 of culture for cardiac differentiation, in other words, for 2 or 3 days from the start of culture for cardiac differentiation, and the step (2) may be conducted, for two days or more in the period from Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to Day 14 of the culture for cardiac differentiation (specifically, for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 days), preferably for 3 to 10 days, more preferably for 4 to 10 days, even more preferably for 4 to 8 days. Preferably, the step (2) is conducted for 4 to 8 days in the period from Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to Day 10 of the culture for cardiac differentiation, for example Day 2 to Day 10 (for 8 days), Day 2 to Day 9 (for 7 days), Day 2 to Day 8 (for 6 days), Day 3 to Day 10 (for 7 days), Day 3 to Day 9 (for 6 days), Day 3 to Day 8 (for 5 days), Day 4 to Day 10 (for 6 days) Day 4 to Day 9 (for 5 days) or Day 4 to Day 8 (for 4 days) of culture for cardiac differentiation.

In the method, preferably, the cell is cultured in a medium containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor in addition to an EGFR inhibitor in the whole or a part of the period of the step (2). The Wnt signaling inhibitor may be added at the middle phase of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell. The middle phase of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell means a stage at which differentiation of mesoderm into cardiomyocytes is induced. Differentiation into a cardiomyocyte may be detected from, for example, the number of beating cardiac colonies, expression of a cardiac marker, expression of an ion channel, or a response to an electrophysiological stimulus. Examples of the cardiac marker include .alpha.-MHC, .beta.-MHC, cTnT, .alpha.-actinin, and NKX2.5. Examples of the ion channel include HCN4, Nav1.5, Cav1.2, Cav3.2 HERG1b and KCNQ1.

For example, after the cell is cultured in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor but not containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor for one or two days, preferably for one day, the medium may be replaced with a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor and the culture is continued in the latter medium. Throughout the period of the step (2), the cell may be cultured in a medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor. Alternatively, after the cell is cultured in a medium containing a Wnt signaling inhibitor but not containing an EGFR inhibitor for one or two days, the medium may be replaced with a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor and the culture may be continued in the latter medium. Further, after the cell is cultured in the medium containing both of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor, the cell may be cultured in the medium containing an EGFR inhibitor or a Wnt signaling inhibitor. The method enables efficient induction of cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell in floating culture.

Concentration of the EGFR inhibitor is not limited to specific concentrations in the present invention. When the EGFR inhibitor is gefitinib or AG1478, the EGFR inhibitor may be used at a final concentration of 100 nM to 100 .mu.M, preferably 1 .mu.M to 20 .mu.M. When the EGFR inhibitor is PP3, the EGFR inhibitor may be used at a final concentration of 1 .mu.M to 1 mM, preferably 10 .mu.M to 100 .mu.M.

Concentrations of the Wnt signaling activator and Wnt Wnt signaling inhibitor are not limited to specific concentrations in the present invention. When the Wnt signaling activator is BIO or CHIR99021, the Wnt signaling activator may be used at a final concentration of 100 nM to 100 .mu.M, preferably 1 .mu.M to 10 .mu.M. When the Wnt signaling inhibitor is IWP2, XAV939, or IWR1, the Wnt signaling inhibitor may be used, for example, at a final concentration of 0.5 to 20 .mu.M, preferably 1 to 10 .mu.M. When the Wnt signaling inhibitor is a compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof, the Wnt signaling inhibitor may be used, for example, at a final concentration of 0.1 to 20 .mu.M, preferably 0.1 to 10 .mu.M, more preferably 1 to 10 .mu.M, depending on the compound or salt used.

The method of the invention may be used to prepare a cardiomyocyte. Production of a cardiomyocyte may be detected from, for example, the number of beating cardiac colonies, expression of a cardiac marker, expression of an ion channel, or a response to an electrophysiological stimulus. The cardiomyocyte prepared by the method of the invention may be used for evaluation of drug safety in vitro or as a cardiomyocyte for transplant to treat heart diseases.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell comprising the compound of Formula (I) described above or a salt thereof which is used in combination with an EGFR inhibitor. The compound of Formula (I) or a salt thereof and the EGFR inhibitor in this embodiment are the same as those described for the composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell comprising an EGFR inhibitor.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides use of an EGFR inhibitor for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell and use of an EGFR inhibitor for manufacturing a composition for promoting cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell. Such embodiment can be carried out according to the description provided for the composition for promoting cardiac differentiation and the method for inducing cardiac differentiation of the invention.

The present invention is described further in detail with reference to the following examples. The present invention is not limited by the examples in any sense.

EXAMPLES

1. Effect of EGFR Inhibitor to Promote Cardiac Differentiation of Monkey ES Cells in Adhesion Culture (1)

Monkey ES cells transfected with a GFP gene having a promoter of .alpha.-MHC, a cardiac differentiation marker, were plated on 6-well plates (ASAHI GLASS CO., LTD./5816-006: Ezview culture plate) at 2.0.times.10.sup.5 cells/well and cultured in an IMDM-based cardiac differentiation medium containing 20% FBS (GIBCO 10099-141) (IMDM (Sigma) containing 20% FBS (Gibco), 1% MEM non-essential amino acid solution (Sigma), 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco), 2 ml L-glutamine (Sigma), 0.001% 2-mercaptoethanol (Gibco), and 0.005N NaOH). During Days 4-8 of culture, KYO2111 (10 UM) was added together with AG1478, an EGFR inhibitor, or one of the following kinase inhibitors: SB203580 (20 .mu.M): p38MAPK inhibitor BIRB796 (10 .mu.M): p38MAPK inhibitor which has a stronger p38 inhibitory activity than SB U0126 (10 .mu.M): ERK/MAPKK (MEKK) inhibitor ODQ (20 .mu.M): NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase inhibitor which inhibits cGMP production induced by NO tyrphostin AG490 (5 .mu.M): JAK2/3 inhibitor AG1478 (20 .mu.M): EGF receptor tyrosine kinase and Erb-B2 receptor inhibitor

At Day 10 of culture, compounds that enhanced GFP fluorescence were identified by measuring GFP fluorescence with HCS (high contents screening) system (Olympus IX81 inverted microscope and Molecular device/MetaMorph imaging system).

As a result, it was found that AG1478, an EGFR inhibitor, had the effect of promoting cardiac differentiation (FIGS. 1 and 2). Another EGFR inhibitor, gefitinib, was also found to have the effect of promoting cardiac differentiation (FIG. 3). In addition, it was revealed that AG1478 and gefitinib synergistically promoted cardiac differentiation when KYO2111 or XAV939 (WAKO), both of which are a Wnt signaling inhibitor, was added together (FIG. 4). 2. Effect of EGFR Inhibitor to Promote Cardiac Differentiation of Human ES Cells and iPS Cells in Floating Culture

Human ES cells or iPS cells subcultured with mouse feeder cells were collected. Colonies of the human ES cells or iPS cells (3-10.times.10.sup.6 cells/well) were plated on 6-well plates of Ultra-low culture dish (CORNING 3261), and cultured in an IMDM-based medium having a defined composition (IMDM (Sigma) containing 1% MEM non-essential amino acid solution (Sigma), 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco), 2 mM L-glutamine (Sigma), 0.5 mM L-carnitine (Sigma), 0.001% 2-mercaptoethanol (Gibco), and 0.4% human serum albumin (Sigma)) in floating culture for 30 days (FIG. 5). During Days 0-2 of culture (for 2 days), CHIR99021 (Axon) (4 .mu.M) and BIO (Calbiochem) (1 .mu.M) were added, and during Days 3-9 of culture (for 6 days) KYO2111 (10 .mu.M) and XAV939 (1 .mu.M) were added. In addition to KYO2111 and XAV939, AG1478 or gefitinib, both of which are an EGFR inhibitor, was added at a concentration of 5-20 .mu.M during Days 0-2 of culture (for 2 days), during Days 2-5 of culture (for 3 days), during Days 3-7 of culture (for 4 days) or during Days 2-9 of culture (for 7 days). The cardiac differentiation was evaluated by analyzing the percentage of cardiomyocytes with flow cytometry using an antibody against cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a specific marker of cardiac muscle at Day 30 of culture.

As a result, gefitinib (10 .mu.M) did not promote cardiac differentiation of human ES cells (KhES-3) when added during Days 0-2 of culture, but remarkably increased the differentiation efficiency when added during Days 2-5 of culture or Days 3-7 of culture (FIG. 6). Furthermore, when AG1478 or gefitinib was added to human ES cells (KhES-3) and human iPS cells (IMR90-1) during Days 2-9 of culture at 5-20 .mu.M, the cardiac differentiation efficiency was increased in both of human ES cells and iPS cells. In particular, AG1478 (20 .mu.M) remarkably increased the percentage of cardiomyocytes up to 92-95% (FIG. 7). Either of AG1478 or gefitinib produced an effect to promote cardiac differentiation by itself (i.e. without addition of KYO2111 and XAV939) or in combination with XAV939 only (i.e. XAV+AG1478 or gefitinib) (FIG. 8). These results indicates that the combination of an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling activator and/or a Wnt signaling inhibitor provides a strong synergistic effect to promote cardiac differentiation. 3. Effect of EGFR Inhibitor to Promote Cardiac Differentiation of Human iPS Cells in Feeder-Free Sphere Culture System

Human iPS cells (253G1) were cultured in sphere culture without feeder cells (feeder-free sphere culture). In detail, 253G1 cells subcultured with mouse feeder cells were collected, the cell cluster was passed through 50 .mu.m mesh (CellTrics, PARTEC04004-2327) to give uniform cell clusters having the size of 80-120 .mu.m, the cells were plated in 6-well plates of Ultra-low culture dish (CORNING 3261) and cultured in mTeSR1 medium (Stem Cell Technology 05850) containing 3% methylcellulose (R&D, HSC001) in floating culture until the size of the colonies of the iPS cells arrived at about 200-300 .mu.m. The cells were subcultured more than 20 times by repeating the steps of this feeder-free sphere culture. The medium was replaced with an IMDM-based medium having a defined composition (IMDM (Sigma) containing 1% MEM non-essential amino acid solution (Sigma), 1% penicillin-streptomycin (Gibco), 2 mM L-glutamine (Sigma), 0.5 mM L-carnitine (Sigma), 0.001% 2-mercaptoethanol (Gibco), and 0.4% human serum albumin (Sigma)) and the cells were cultured in floating culture for 30 days (FIG. 5). During Days 0-2 of culture (for 2 days), CHIR99021 (4 .mu.M) and BIO (1 .mu.M) were added, and during Days 3-9 of culture (for 6 days) KYO2111 (10 .mu.M) and XAV939 (1 .mu.M) were added. In addition to KYO2111 and XAV939, AG1478 or gefitinib, both of which are an EGFR inhibitor, was added at a concentration of 10 .mu.M during Days 3-9 of culture (for 6 days). The cardiac differentiation was evaluated by analyzing the percentage of cardiomyocytes with flow cytometry using an antibody against cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a specific marker of cardiac muscle at Day 30 of culture.

As a result, AG1478 and gefitinib increased the percentage of cardiomyocytes, which are the differentiated cells, from 34% to about 50% (FIG. 9). The result indicates that EGFR inhibitors increased the cardiac differentiation efficiency not only in human iPS cells cultured with mouse feeder cells but also in iPS cells in a feeder-free sphere culture system. 4. Effect of EGFR Inhibitor to Promote Cardiac Differentiation of Monkey ES Cells in Adhesion Culture (2)

In the same manner as in Example 1 above, effect of PP3, an EGFR inhibitor, to promote cardiac differentiation was examined in monkey ES cells. During Days 4-8 of culture KYO2111 (10 .mu.M) and PP3 (3 .mu.M, 10 .mu.M, 30 .mu.M, or 100 .mu.M) were added. As a result, PP3 was found to enhance the effect of KYO2111 to promote cardiac differentiation (FIG. 10). PP3 is an EGFR inhibitor that has the main structure different from that of AG1478 and gefitinib and has no inhibitory effect on Src kinase, which phosphorylates EGFR. The result indicates that agents that inhibit signaling from an EGF receptor have the effect of promoting cardiac differentiation.

Preparation Examples

SO03031 (KY01-I)

##STR00008##

N,N-dimethylformamide solution (3 ml) containing 2-amino-6-iodobenzothiazole (200 mg, 0.723 mmol) and 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (157 mg, 0.795 mmol) was added with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (139 .mu.l, 0.803 mmol) and O-(6-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (360 mg, 0.870 mmol) and stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized with ethanol and 167 mg of 2-(2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide)-6-iodobenzothiazole was obtained in a yield of 50%.

.sup.1H NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): .delta. 12.61 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.73-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.54 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.97-6.84 (m, 3H), 3.75-3.72 (m, 8H).

MS (ESI) Found; 455[M+H].sup.+

SO2031 (KY02-I)

##STR00009##

Dichloromethane solution (3 ml) of 4-iodoaniline (1.00 g, 4.57 mmol) was added with thiocarbonyldiimidazole (976 mg, 5.47 mmol) and stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. After addition of 25% ammonia solution (3 ml), the solution was stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the resulting deposits were filtered to obtain 889 mg of 1-(4-iodophenyl)thiourea at a yield of 59%.

##STR00010##

Chloroform suspension (7 ml) of 1-(4-iodophenyl)thiourea (889 mg, 3.19 mmol) was added with bromine (328 .mu.l, 6.40 mmol), and heated to reflux and stirred for 6 hours. After the reaction was completed and the solvent was removed, the residue was added with dichloromethane and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution. After the solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, the resulting deposits were filtered to obtain 650 mg 2-amino-6-iodobenzothiazole in a yield of 73%.

##STR00011##

N,N-dimethylformamide solution (2 ml) containing 2-amino-6-iodobenzothiazole (100 mg, 0.362 mmol) and 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid (91.4 mg, 0.435 mmol) was added with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (69.4 .mu.l, 0.398 mmol) and O-(6-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (180 mg, 0.435 mmol) and stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized with ethanol and 83 mg of 2-(3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propanamide)-6-iodobenzothiazole in a yield of 48%.

.sup.1H NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): .delta. 12.42 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.72-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.85-6.83 (m, 2H), 6.75-6.72 (m, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 2.90-2.76 (m, 4H).

MS (ESI) Found; 469[M+H]

SO3042 (KY03-I)

##STR00012##

N,N-dimethylformamide solution (3 ml) containing 2-amino-6-iodobenzothiazole (250 mg, 0.905 mmol) and 4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butanoic acid (224 mg, 0.995 mmol) was added with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (174 .mu.l, 0.995 mmol) and O-(6-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (450 mg, 1.09 mmol) and stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized with ethanol and 131 mg of 2-(4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butanamide)-6-iodobenzothiazole was obtained in a yield of 30%.

.sup.1H NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): .delta. 12.37 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.72-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.86-6.79 (m, 2H), 6.70 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 2.58-2.48 (m, 4H), 1.96-1.86 (m, 2H).

MS (ESI) Found; 483[M+H].sup.+

SO2077

##STR00013##

N,N-dimethylformamide solution (5 ml) containing 4-hydroxy-3-methoxypheny propionic acid (500 mg, 2.54 mmol) was added with potassium carbonate (881 mg, 6.37 mmol) and 1-bromopropane (692 .mu.l, 7.65 mmol) and stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl acetate-4/1) and 590 mg of propyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl)propanoate was obtained in a yield of 82%.

##STR00014##

Propyl 3-(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl)propanoate (590 mg, 2.10 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane and added with 5 mol/l sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (1.68 ml) and the resulting solution was stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was added with 6 mol/l hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and 438 mg of 3-(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl)propionic acid was obtained in a yield of 87%.

##STR00015##

N,N-dimethylformamide solution (3 ml) containing 2-amino-6-iodobenzothiazole (200 mg, 0.723 mmol) and 3-(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl)propionic acid (200 mg, 0.839 mmol) was added with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (140 .mu.l, 0.803 mmol) and O-(6-chlorobenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (360 mg, 0.870 mmol) and stirred over night at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution. The solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized with ethanol and 217 mg of 2-(3-(3-methoxy-4-propoxyphenyl)propanamide)-6-iodobenzothiazole was obtained in a yield of 60%.

.sup.1H NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6): .delta. 12.42 (s, 1H), 8.38-8.37 (m, 1H), 7.72-7.69 (m, 1H), 7.54-7.51 (m, 1H), 6.85-6.82 (m, 2H), 6.72 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 3.86-3.82 (m, 2H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 2.87-2.78 (m, 4H), 1.72-1.65 (m, 2H), 094 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H).

MS (ESI) Found; 497[M+H].sup.+

The effect of SO3031 (KY01-I), SO2031 (KY02-I), SO3042 (KY03-I), and SO2077 to promote cardiac differentiation was confirmed by the methods described in the Examples of WO2012/026491.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for inducing cardiac differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell in vitro, comprising the steps in a sequential order of: (1) first culturing the pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a Wnt signaling activator, and then (2) culturing the cell in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor after the step (1), wherein the cell is cultured in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor, and optionally before or after, or both before and after the culture in the medium containing an EGFR inhibitor and a Wnt signaling inhibitor, the cell is cultured in a medium containing an EGFR inhibitor but not a Wnt signaling inhibitor and wherein the cell is cultured in floating culture, wherein the pluripotent stem cell is a monkey or human ES or iPS cell, the step (1) is conducted at Day 0 to Day 2 or Day 0 to Day 3 of culture for cardiac differentiation, and the step (2) is conducted for 3 to 10 days in the period from Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4 to Day 14 of the culture for cardiac differentiation when the step (1) is conducted at Day 0 to Day 2, or conducted for 3 to 10 days in the period from Day 3 or Day 4 to Day 14 of the culture for cardiac differentiation when the step (1) is conducted at Day 0 to Day 3.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medium contains no protein other than albumin.

3. The method according to claim 1, which is a method for preparing a cardiomyocyte.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EGFR inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of AG1478, gefitinib, afatinib, ARRY334543, AST1306, AZD8931, BIBU1361, BIBX1382, BPDQ, BPIQ-I, BPIQ-II, canertinib, CL-387,785, CUDC101, dacomitinib, vandetanib, EGFR Inhibitor III (CAS 733009-42-2), EGFR/ErbB-2 Inhibitor (CAS 179248-61-4), erlotinib, GW583340, GW2974, HDS029, lapatinib, WHI-P154, OSI-420, PD153035, PD168393, PD174265, pelitinib, Compound 56, XL657, PP3, AG-490, AG555, tyrphostin B42, tyrphostin B44, AG556, AG494, AG825, RG-13022, DAPH, EGFR Inhibitor (CAS 879127-07-8), erbstatin analog (CAS 3177-57-1), JNJ28871063, tyrphostin 47, lavendustin A, lavendustin C, lavendustin C methylate, LFM-A12, TAK165, TAK285, tyrphostin 51, tyrphostin AG183, tyrphostin AG528, tyrphostin AG99, tyrphostin RG14620, WZ3146, WZ4002, WZ8040, Butein, and tyrphostin AG112.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EGFR inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of AG1478, gefitinib, and PP3.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Wnt signaling inhibitor is a compound represented by Formula (I): ##STR00016## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.13R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--, R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom; a hydroxyl group; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is substituted with a group --C(O)A, wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring which is unsubstituted or substituted with a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the ring may contain 1 or 2 atoms independently selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; or a group --NR.sub.12R.sub.13, wherein R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an oxygen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; wherein two adjacent groups among R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 may join together to form --O--CH.sub.2--O-- or --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.2--O--, R.sub.10 to R.sub.11 are each independently a hydrogen atom; or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, X is --CR.sub.14, wherein R.sub.14 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with a halogen atom; an oxygen atom; a sulfur atom; a selenium atom; or a group --NR.sub.15, wherein R.sub.15 is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched acyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 0 to 6, or a salt thereof.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in Formula (I) R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, and R.sub.11 are a hydrogen atom, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group, R.sub.7 is a halogen atom, X is a sulfur atom, and n is an integer of 0 to 4.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in Formula (I) R.sub.2 is a methoxy group, and R.sub.3 is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Wnt signaling inhibitor is a compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR00017## ##STR00018## or a salt thereof.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Wnt signaling inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of IWP2, XAV939, and IWR1.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Wnt signaling activator is selected from the group consisting of BIO and CHIR99021.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein two or more Wnt signaling inhibitors and two or more Wnt signaling activators are used in combination.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the EGFR inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of AG1478, gefitinib, and PP3; the Wnt signaling inhibitors are a compound represented by Formula (I): ##STR00019## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, and R.sub.11 are a hydrogen atom, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group or a propoxy group, R.sub.7 is a halogen atom, X is a sulfur atom, and n is an integer of 0 to 4, and a Wnt signaling inhibitor selected from the group consisting of IWP2, XAV939, and IWR1; and the Wnt signaling activators are BIO and CHIR99021.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the EGFR inhibitor is AG1478 or gefitinib; and the Wnt signaling inhibitors are the compound represented by Formula (I) and XAV939.

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